New Orleans: Pontifical High Mass – 1 November

Father, I have been informed that Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Orleans will celebrate a pontifical High Mass according to the 1962 missal on the feast of All Saints, at St. Patrick’s (the only indult parish in the archdiocese). Archbishop Hughes is due to submit his resignation for reasons on age this December. I doubt it’s the swan song he’s envisioned for himself, but we’ll give him, his chancery entourage, and the clergy of New Orleans something to remember.

We are particularly attentive to liturgy at St. Patrick’s, and rather extensive preparations are under way to bring it all off "after the high Roman fashion". I’m hunting up someone to photograph and perhaps make a video of the occasion.

This sort of news like balm for the soul.

I sincerely beleive that if bishops really wanted to control the use of the older form of Mass, they would institute it themselves at their cathedral, with all the resources of the diocese used to make it the showcase of the region, and be the celebrant at least once a month. He would make sure a few places had it and did it well. People would flock to the cathedral and those places rather than try to get it going in their parishes.

12 Responses to New Orleans: Pontifical High Mass – 1 November

I have thought the same thing myself, Father. Our Cathedral has seen a drop in attendance due to shifting demographics so it would make fiscal sense as well as liturgical and catechetical sense. And to make it even better, the Cathedral has a Schola which could be used for High Masses. As to whether our Bishop has an interest in this arrangement, I don’t yet know, but you’ve provided the impetus to find out.

Kind of related, but not as ‘brave’ (can’t think of the right word, sorry): on the Assumption, there will be a High Mass according to the 1962 Missal at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (the usual Parish where the FSSP Priests celebrate Mass) which will, unless I am mistaken, be presided over by Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Abp. of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

We are extremely fortunate in the Archdiocese of Detroit that three of our auxiliary bishops – Boyea, Quinn and Reiss – are in our “regular rotation” at the indult Mass at my parish, St. Josaphat’s. We don’t have (yet) pontifical High Mass, with all the trimmings, but the episcopal support and presence is certainly encouraging.

When the bishops do come and celebrate with us, it’s a clear demonstration of their pastoral sollicitude and makes us feel (yes, feelings sometimes matter) less like the red-headed stepchild and more like full members of the archdiocese.

I was just in Detroit for the weekend and saw there were two Tridentine Masses offered. However I was with family and they wanted to go to “Greek Town” in Detroit. At St. Mary’s there in Greek Town was/is offered the Latin version of the NO with Gregorian chant. With trepidation I went and I was blown away with the beauty of the Mass (well, maybe not “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” put in the middle). All I could think is I have to tell someone; not enough people are here and this is simply wonderful. Yes it still pales compared to the Tridentine Mass said reverently, but it left me in tears. I get so tired of NO Masses when I travel, but this was pure joy. By the way, whether or not the crowd took the Host in the hand or on the tongue, it was done kneeling at the altar rail. And lots of incense, a tabernacle in the center of the altar, candles and a darn good homily, too.

Fr. Z: I should also mention that Archbishop Hughes is a member of the Vox Clara commission, so he has more than one reason to be thinking about Latin and liturgy. I don’t know much about the Archbishop’s views, except that he’s on record as pro-“consubstantial”.

As to the “high Roman fashion”, I assume this means a Pontifical Mass from the Throne. The perennial issue since the first Indult has been how appropriate it is for bishops to celebrate in the old rite in a manner that was unrubrical in 1962, which usually means what Americans call the Solemn High Mass. The E.D. Commission may have issued some opinion about this, but if so I haven’t seen it. Personally I hate to see the traditional rubrics ignored, but I know this is a minority opinion.

Very Interesting Comments. Our Holy Father says Mass in Latin every day, soon here will show the world how it is done in what some still call the “old way”. What ever Mass is said , it said for the Glorey of Gid and the redemption of our Souls. So let all alike, preists and non priests, pray the the Priest saying the Mass says it properly with grace and dignaty and not as though he has to get it over and done with in half an hour. A simple Low Mass is the Sam as a High Mass, just with a little more gilding on the lilly. So brethen, stop pitch and get praying

Patrick Walesby

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